Solar Energy Utilization in the United States

65 Pages·2013·4.15 MB·English

by  Green Light

Solar Energy Utilization
in the United States
For the American Nuclear Society
Nor Cal
Ali Moharrer, P.E.
February 21, 2013
Professional Experience
• 20 years project engineer experience,
including the overall engineering of:
• Hydro electric power
• Gas turbines
• Steam turbines
• CSP solar steam turbine
• Photovoltaic power
• Project Engineering experience with
world’s largest hydrogen generation
plant: 220 MMSCFD (million standard cubic feet per day )
• Power Projects: 50- 1000 MW
• Mechanical design and fabrication
background
2
Earth Climate: A global solar power plant
Fuel source: ~ 240 W/m2 solar flux (average annual)
CAISO (2/16/2013)
CAISO (2/16/2013)
CA Renewable Portfolio Standard
33% by 2020
• Established in 2002 and accelerated in 2006.
• It is procurement program requiring utilities,
and other electric service providers to
increase their annual use of (eligible)
renewable generation sources.
California Solar Energy Potential
• High direct normal incident solar radiation
• Access/proximity to transmission lines
• Large urban areas
• Most populous State in the US.
Electric Net Summer Capacity ( x1000 MW)
Total (All Sectors), 2011 values (EIA, Annual Energy Review 2011)
1200
1000
800
Solar
600 NG
Nuclear
400 Total
200
0
2011
Solar vs. Conventional Power Plant:
similarities/differences
Similarities Differences
• Single/multiple generation • Costly (LCOE high)
sources
• Subject to solar irradiation
• Fit for utility scale
• Need sunlight, clear skies
• Controllable output
• Variable output (PV)
• Dispatch-able
• Low capacity factor (<2000
• Support the base load (CSP) hours/year)
• Scalable (n x MW) • Zero cost of fuel,
• Low O&M cost
• Large footprints (~ 5 acres
/1 MW)
Existing Capacity by Energy Source (MW), EIA 2011
Generator Nameplate
Energy Source Number of Generators Net Summer Capacity Net Winter Capacity
Capacity
Coal 1,400 343,757 317,640 320,185
Petroleum 3,738 57,537 51,208 55,179
Natural Gas 5,574 477,387 415,191 448,456
Other Gases 91 2,202 1,934 1,919
Nuclear 104 107,001 101,419 103,507
Hydroelectric Conventional 4,048 78,194 78,652 78,107
Wind 781 45,982 45,676 45,689
Solar Thermal and
326 1,564 1,524 1,411
Photovoltaic
Wood and Wood-Derived Fuels 345 8,014 7,077 7,151
Geothermal 226 3,500 2,409 2,596
Other Biomass 1,660 5,192 4,536 4,600
Hydroelectric Pumped Storage 154 20,816 22,293 22,268
Other Energy Sources 81 1,697 1,420 1,424
Total 18,530 1,153,149 1,051,251 1,092,780